My 1979 version of the 6980 Galaxy Commander, which was originally released in 1983.

About this creation

When I posted the LDD version of the original 6980 Galaxy Commander about a month ago I already announced that I was working on a 1979 version of it. My starting point was the question: If they had made a Galaxy Commander back in 1979, how would it have looked like?

First of all I have to say that I'm not the first one dealing with that question. John Beck has made a Galaxy Commander in 1979 colours and with a few modifications some time ago. My idea was to go a step further and get a real 1979 look only using parts of that time period.

After a few tries this was the result:

The 1979 "prequel" compared to the original. The 1979 version has about 100 parts more than the original (>480 instead of >380 in LDD). For now I only have built it with LDD and I'm not sure if I will build it with real bricks. Even with my quite big classic space collection there would still miss quite an amount of bricks for that.

A "bottom" view:
Some thrusters and a semi transparent lower part of the cockpits.

Rear left view:
The biggest difference compared to the original is the "lab" element. It has wheels instead of jet engine sliders.

Front left view:

First seperation:
A simple locking mechanism without Technic pins, quite similar to the original model.

Second seperation:
It's time for the lab rover. I'm two days late for FebROVERy, but who cares ... ;-)) The locking mechanism is the same of the the original model. The rest of the lab is my own design.

The rover and it's base left alone on the surface:
The big dish can't only be tilted but also turned. The original model couldn't do that.

The front part on its own mission in space

Heading back...

The rover, returning to its base:
A second computer terminal in the front and a place to rest are incuded.

The rover is reconnected to the base:
In this position the batteries of the rover can be recharged.

Connecting the two main sections

And complete, again

Here it is compared to the 928 Galaxy Explorer:So this is my 1979 version of the 6980 Galaxy Commander. I hope you like it. :-))

I am lucky enough to have a dad that kept his Lego and instructions. I had the chance to build this one and later to get Christmas presents of the similar build types and moon bases. Thanks for the memories.

matt rowntree

March 2, 2013

You nailed the look and feel of the classic. I would have been BEGGING for this as a kid!!! Great job!